Man that cover 2 defense - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

Patriotic Fervor · 09-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJohnson

Any defense looks like that if you dont block it. Cover2 has its flaws as well.
The biggest thing that Ive seen in the Colt D in the playoffs and last night is an unbelievable inabilty to stop penetration in the run game. A good offensive line tears apart that philosophy couple with drastically undersized DL.
The way the Colts have stopped the run to the level they have over their last 4 games is that very often they have penetration almost to the spot of the handoff. The RB has to adjust to escape the penetration, and then the play goes away from what is usually a huge hole. RB hesitates, goes away from play design, speedy small players catch him.
To me its a simple concept, and I think a zone blocking scheme is the perfect attach. But if your OL are focussed on not getting run past rather than blowing the guy back 20 yards, there is a ton of running room.
when you run on the cover 2 the pass opens up nicely.

That was a good analysis, Andy. I'm with you all the way on that one!

lapatsfan · 09-07-2007, 10:58 AM

Yeah, we'll see how good it is when Brady, Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Watson and Maroney are on the field.

everlong · 09-07-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJohnson

Even if the weak NFC, I think we are going to see the one year wonder phenomena of the Saints. The media has fallen in love with them partly because of the great story due to Katrina, but they were a flawed team last year. Flawed teams that have a good season against a weak schedule often tank the next year, and thats what I see from NO.

I could not understand all the SB love the national media was throwing to the Saints and I agree they are going to take a step back.

Something else to remember about NO, 2006 AFC games

at Cleveland W 19-14
Baltimore L 22-35
at Pittsburgh L 31-38
Cincinnati L 16-31

This should be no surprise when you can barely take care of Cleveland and a depleted Pitt team beats you and Baltimore and Cincy spank you in your place.

Metaphors · 09-07-2007, 12:46 PM

Seems like the Colts defense gets over-simplied both to the positive (playoffs and last night) and the negative (2006 regular season). I've seen quite a few of their games and their defense doesn't look the same week-to-week or even drive-to-drive. I obviously haven't broken down tape on their games so I could be drunk on this, but it seems to me like their successes/failures are more due to weekly gameplans (and execution/adjustments) than personnel.

I don't think you can just pick one attack (power run) and say it will be successful. Ask the Ravens and Chiefs in the playoffs last year. It honestly looked like the Colts had 11 guys in the box for those games. The Jags womped the Colts by finding the seams in their defense (which are not always between the tackles). The Texans won by combining a hyper-accurate short outside passing game with quick hitting runs.

About the only conclusion I can seem to draw is that you have to force the Colts D to defend all areas of the field on all downs. If you run up the middle on 1st and 2nd down (when they stack the box) and pass down the middle on 3rd down (when they drop their linebackers and safeties), I wouldn't expect you to have much success.

I can't recall many plays by the Saints that went outside, besides their reverses. Everything was between the hash marks which allows their fast LBers and safeties to play fast (north-south) and not have to make decisions on moving laterally. Would be interested to hear if Ryan has a similar take on the Colts D.

BTW, this isn't a knock on the Colts D since every defense has weaknesses that can be exploited. It is more a criticism of their opponents who have not brought anything close to an effective offensive gameplan to the table.

Patriotic Fervor · 09-07-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaphors

Seems like the Colts defense gets over-simplied both to the positive (playoffs and last night) and the negative (2006 regular season). I've seen quite a few of their games and their defense doesn't look the same week-to-week or even drive-to-drive. I obviously haven't broken down tape on their games so I could be drunk on this, but it seems to me like their successes/failures are more due to weekly gameplans (and execution/adjustments) than personnel.

I don't think you can just pick one attack (power run) and say it will be successful. Ask the Ravens and Chiefs in the playoffs last year. It honestly looked like the Colts had 11 guys in the box for those games. The Jags womped the Colts by finding the seams in their defense (which are not always between the tackles). The Texans won by combining a hyper-accurate short outside passing game with quick hitting runs.

About the only conclusion I can seem to draw is that you have to force the Colts D to defend all areas of the field on all downs. If you run up the middle on 1st and 2nd down (when they stack the box) and pass down the middle on 3rd down (when they drop their linebackers and safeties), I wouldn't expect you to have much success.

I can't recall many plays by the Saints that went outside, besides their reverses. Everything was between the hash marks which allows their fast LBers and safeties to play fast (north-south) and not have to make decisions on moving laterally. Would be interested to hear if Ryan has a similar take on the Colts D.

BTW, this isn't a knock on the Colts D since every defense has weaknesses that can be exploited. It is more a criticism of their opponents who have not brought anything close to an effective offensive gameplan to the table.

So true, so true....